John Avise

John Avise

Abstract

The History and Purview of Conservation Genetics

An examination of the recent scientific literature described by various authors as "conservation genetics" provides a basis for the current attempt to orient this applied subdiscipline of conservation biology conceptually. At least six overlapping subject areas are recognizable: (A) within-population assessments (e.g., of inbreeding, heterozygosity, genetic fitness, population viability); (B) geographic variation (metapopulation structure, gene flow, phylogeography, stock identification); (C) species-level issues (taxonomic boundaries, hybridization, introgression, phylogenetics, conservation "worth," identification of biodiversity hotspots); (D) forensic identification of wildlife products (e.g., in law enforcement); (E) monitoring the genetic effects of released toxins and other environmental insults; and (F) direct manipulation of genes and organismal reproduction in conservation efforts. The scope of conservation genetics is outlined by examining the historical roots of these varied topics and their relative emphases. Genetic theory and principles, as well as empirical evaluations of both molecular and non-molecular genetic traits, have all played key roles in the emergence of conservation genetics as a recognizable area within conservation biology.

Biography

My interests center on study of the natural history, ecology, and evolution of animal populations in nature, primarily through the use of genetic markers. Topics studied include, phylogeography, analyses of genetic parentage, mating patterns, geographic population structure, gene flow, hybridization, introgression, speciation, systematics, and phylogeny estimation. The major focus is typically on understanding the behaviors and evolutionary histories of organisms through the application of molecules as genetic markers, but, because the theory and practice of evolutionary genetics are relevant to ecological and environmental issues and to conservation biology, these latter areas provide an underlying theme to much of my research.

Representative Publications

Avise, J.C. 1994. Molecular Markers, Natural History and Evolution. Chapman & Hall, New York (511 pp.).

Avise, J.C. and J.L. Hamrick (eds.). 1996. Conservation Genetics: Case Histories from Nature. Chapman & Hall, New York (512 pp.).

Avise, J.C. 1998. The Genetic Gods: Evolution and Belief in Human Affairs. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA. (279 pp.).

Avise, J.C. 2000. Phylogeography: The History and Formation of Species. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA. (447 pp.).

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